What, precisely, “alternative metal” might refer to is a bit
beyond us, but this is the title Wikipedia assigns Knoxville
rockers 10 Years. Two pictures of lead singer Jesse Hasek
might help illustrate the band’s sound though. In 2005, when
the band were dogging around with Korn and Hatebreed, Hasek
was rocking a set of metal dreads that suited their heavy-yet-clean
sound. Now, in the wake of their 2008 album Division,
Hasek looks a bit like Christian Bale circa The Newsies
and the sound is like a rumble with the scabbers. Adelitas
Way, the Leo Project, and Upon Arrival share the bill. (March
26, 7:30 PM, $12, 1208 Route 146, Clifton Park, 371-0012)

Garnet
Rogers

Sand
Lake Center for the Arts, Saturday

Between Garnet Rogers’ dexterity on the guitar, mandolin,
violin and flute, and his deep stentorian voice, it’s hard
to say which is most responsible for the Canadian singer-songwriter’s
style. Following his brother Stan Rogers’ influence, Garnet
spins rustic yarns of the Canadian maritime as well as modern
tales of working folk. All this, and he can make his guitar
sound like almost anything. (March 28, 8 PM, $16, 2880
Route 43, Averill Park, 674-2007)

Bela
Fleck— the Africa Project

EMPAC,
Saturday

Just as the name Bela Fleck be came synonymous with the banjo,
so did the banjo become synonymous with country music. This
did not please Fleck, for his instrument’s history has a much
deeper cultural context than most would assume. So the Grammy-winning
picker, as much a historian as a musician, set out to clear
the air: He traveled to Africa to explore the roots of the
banjo. Fleck’s trip was documented in the film Throw Down
Your Heart, and the journey has been extended into the
Africa tour, a 15-city collaboration between the banjo virtuoso
and a number of acclaimed African musicians—including kora
master Toumani Diabate, Anania Ngoliaga and John Kitime, Vusi
Mahanasela, D’Gary and Mario. Unfortunately this show is sold
out. But hey, there’s always Netflix. (March 28, 8 PM,
110 8th St., Troy, 276-4135)

The
Hold Steady

The
Hold Steady

Valentine’s,
Tuesday

They’ve been called the best live band around. They’ve turned
out a series of critically acclaimed records, including 2006’s
Boys and Girls in America and last year’s Stay Positive,
yielding such shout-along anthems as “Sequestered in Memphis”
and “Stuck Between Stations.” They’ve stayed indie while teetering
ever-so-close to the mainstream—they’re touring with the Dave
Freaking Matthews Freaking Band this summer, for heaven’s
sake. Now is a time of critical mass for Brooklyn’s the Hold
Steady; count your lucky stars, Albany, because this is likely
the last chance you’ll get to see them in a space as charmingly
intimate as Valentine’s. And count your lucky stars if you
have tickets because this one is sold out. (March 31, 8
PM, 17 New Scotland Ave., Albany, 432-6572)

G.
Love and Special Sauce

Revolution
Hall, Wednesday

If your baby’s got sauce, you pro bably know that Garrett
“G. Love” Dutton has unexpectedly remained at the forefront
of the alternative hip-hop movement, such as it is, for a
solid 15 years. Dude’s taken his blues-inflected Philly stoner-soul
around the world several times over, scoring a few unexpected
hits (“Cold Beverage,” “Rodeo Clowns”) along the ride. And
he’s tight with one of the most unexpected superstars the
industry has ever produced, Jack Johnson. Things are good
for G. But the world of Special Sauce took a hit this year
when longtime bassist “Jimi Jazz” Prescott left the band,
so what lies ahead is, well, unexpected. Find out this Wednesday
when they play Revolution Hall. (April 1, 7:30 PM, $25,
425 River St., Troy, 274-0553)